System for supplying electrical power for running electric trains

ABSTRACT

A system for supplying electric power for running electric trains has an electric motor which drives a train engine, an electrical generator connectable with at least one wheel of at least one wheel pair of a train and generating electricity, at least one electrical capacitor storing and discharging electricity, and means for connecting the electric motor, the electrical generator and the electrical capacitor so that the electrical generator in response to rotation of the at least one wheel generates electric current and supplies it to the electric motor which drives the train engine and to the electrical capacitor which stores electricity, and when electric current from the electrical generator to the electric motor diminishes or disappears, the electric capacitor supplies accumulated electric current to the electric motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for supplying electric power for running electric trains are known.

Electricians usually include an electric motor which drives a train engine and receives power from additional energy sources.

It is believed that existing systems for supplying electric power for running electric trains can be further improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for supplying electric power for running of electric trains, which is a further improvement of the existing systems for supplying electric power for running of electric trains.

In keeping with these objects one feature of the invention resides in a system for supplying electric power for running of electric trains, comprising an electric motor which drives a train engine; an electrical generator connectable with at least one wheel of at least one wheel pair of a train and generating electricity; at least one electrical capacitor storing and discharging electricity; and means for connecting said electric motor, said electrical generator and said electrical capacitor so that said electrical generator in response to rotation of said at least one wheel generates electric current and supplies it to said electric motor which drives the train engine and to said electrical capacitor which stores electricity, and when an electric current from said electrical generator to said electric motor diminishes or disappears, said electrical capacitor supplies electric current to said electric motor.

Another feature is that the system has a second such electric generator connectable with a second wheel of said at least one wheel pair and connected by said connecting means with a said electric motor and a second electrical capacitor.

A further feature is that the system has means for mechanically connecting said at least one electrical generator with said at least one wheel of said at least one wheel pair, and said mechanically connecting means include a first pulley connected with said at least one wheel and rotated by a latter, a second pulley connected with a shaft of said generator, and a belt element passing over said first and second pulleys.

In accordance with the invention first pulley can be of one-piece with the at least one wheel or can be mechanically connected to the at least one wheel.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 of the drawing is a view showing a system for supplying electric power for running electric trains in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a train provided with the system in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A system for supplying electric power for running electric trains includes an electric motor 1 that drives an engine of a train, which is in electrically driven train.

The electrically driven train has a plurality of wheel pairs 2 each including two wheels 3 and 4 connected with each other in a known manner.

The inventive system further includes at least two electrical generators 5 and 6 whose shafts are rotated from the wheels 3 and 4 of the wheel pairs of the train.

For this purpose pulleys 7 and 8 can be made of one-piece with the wheels 3 and 4 or mechanically connected with them, for example bolted to them.

Pulleys 9 and 10 are mounted on shafts 11 and 12 of the generators 5 and 6. Belts 13′ and 14′ transmit the rotation from the pulleys 7 and 8 to the pulleys 9 and 10 and therefore to the shafts 11 and 12 of the generators, which generate electricity or electric power.

The electric current generated by the electric generators 5 and 6 is supplied to the electric motor 1 to drive the latter.

At the same time the electric current is supplied also to electrical capacitors 13 and 14 and the capacitors 13 and 14, accumulate electricity.

When the electric current in electric current (power) supply lines 15 and 16 from the generators 5 and 6 to the electric motor 1 diminishes or disappears, the capacitors 13 and 14 supply the accumulated electric current into the electric current supply lines 15 and 16, so that the electric motor 1 is always supplied with electric current.

It is believed to be clear that corresponding electrical controllers can be provided, which monitor the current supply to the electric motor 1 from the generators 5 and 6, and turns on the current supply from the electrical capacitors 13 and 14 when required.

In the train including a plurality of cars 17 with wheel pairs, electrical connecting lines 18 are extended between the cars 17. Through the electrical connecting lines 18 the electrical current can be transmitted from the generators and capacitors of the wheels of one car to the generators and capacitors of the other car.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a system for supplying electric power for running electric trains, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, be applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 

1. A system for supplying electric power for running electric trains, comprising an electric motor which drives a train engine; at least one an electrical generator connectable with at least one wheel of at least one wheel pair of a train and generating electricity; at least one electrical capacitor storing and discharging electricity; and means for connecting said electric motor, said electrical generator and said electrical capacitor so that said electrical generator in response to rotation of said at least one wheel generators electric current and supplies it to said electric motor which drives the train engine and also to said electrical capacitor which stores electricity, and when electric current from said electrical generator to said electric motor diminishes or disappears, said electric capacitor supplies accumulated electric current to said electric motor.
 2. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second such electric generator connectable with a second wheel of said at least one wheel pair and connected by said connecting means with said electric motor and a second electrical capacitor.
 3. A system as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for mechanically connecting said at least one electrical generator with said at least one wheel of said at least one wheel pair.
 4. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein said mechanically connecting means include a first pulley connected with said at least one wheel and rotated by a latter, a second pulley connected with a shaft of said generator, and a belt element passing over said first and second pulleys.
 5. A system as defined in claim 4, wherein said first pulley is of one-piece with said at least one wheel of said at least one wheel pair.
 6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said first pulley is mechanically connected with said at least one wheel of said at least one wheel pair. 